Posted 9 years ago
jerseyplant
(1 item)
This stein was left to me years ago. I am trying to learn more about the origin of the stein, and about my neighbor who left it to me when he passed. It would give me more insight into who he was, and the history of this beautiful piece.
These are heavily reproduced.
Your stein looks pretty good-- although, I only know enough to be dangerous!
No handle bump and the decoration looks pretty good.
Open it and hold to the light looking at the bottom.
You should see an image "lithophane" in the bottom. What is the picture?
scott
Hi Scott. I do not see a "lithophane" on the interior base
also, the interior of the lid is has no patina, and is shiny
Two more good signs!
Looks like one of the unusual ones that has some actual age!
Congratulations and thanks for sharing!
scott
I'll be interested in what Blue Max has to say. This one does look like the real deal to me, but like Scott, it's not really my strong area. Steins like this were popular mementos of a soldier's service, in this case Reservist Sander of the 16th Pioneer Battalion out of Metz.
It is a stunning stein, but like the first poster I only know enough to be dangerous. I would like to say that the stein is not a WWI stein, as it was for service ending 9 years prior to the start of WWI (which is the norm for most regimental steins).
If you look at the years on the stein (1901-1905), you will notice the handwriting of the 1901 year is different from that of the 1905 year, this is an excellent sign that it is an authentic Regimental Stein. The manufacturer would enter the first year and let the store enter the second year as the length of service varied by person (multiples of 2 years for the engineering branch).
You will notice that all the responses have been to address the authenticity of your stein, over the history of the stein. This is because there are many reproductions out there that collectors just assume the authenticity must be proven first.
Although Metz is a city in France, it was annexed by Germany during this period. ( http://www.beerstein.net/articles/s8109.htm ) for information on regimental steins
The stein was originally owned by a member of the 16th Pionier (Engineer) Battalion, Reservist Sander, who served in this unit from 1901-1903 where he was garrisoned in Metz, a part of Imperial Germany at that time. There will be no lithophane because this particular stein is of the pottery type rather than the more common porcelain. There is a depiction of engineers building a pontoon bridge over a river, an important function if your army was to be mobil. A very nice original piece.